We've continued with several fashion shoots this last year and it really has been a pleasure working with the many models that have graced our images with their beauty. The same goes to all our portrait and wedding clients. I had a tough (really tough) picking my favorite images of the year since I have so many. And each of you has been a blessing to get to know.

We increased the size of our team by double this year. And we're in the middle of our winter bootcamp sessions to help better train and learn from each other.

I blog posted 275 times this year! A huge improvement over last year's measly 178.

I was able to attend a workshop midsummer and learn from two great photographers and they've encouraged me to step even further outside that box. You'll see some images in the below slideshow that you may not have ever seen before.

I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone you helped make the year a success.First of all, to the Memory Journalists team - I couldn't do it without you. To all our clients - somehow we were destined to meet and mingle and become friends; and thank you for trusting me with your precious memories. To all those wedding professionals out there that help make each event a success; and a special thank you to Bella Donna Bridal, Stephanie J Designs, and Blooms for collaborating on a few special projects with me. To Bree - Thanks for getting my PR rolling. To NJ - words don't express enough how much I appreciate all you do. To my friends and family - who have dragged me away more often this year to enjoy life. And to Cory - the best year yet and more to come. I love you.

While in Arizona, we took my parents to the movies. We watched Tom Cruise in the movie Valkyrie.It's based on the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Cruise) and the daring and ingenious plot to eliminate one of the most evil criminals the world has ever known. I think I've mentioned before that you will pretty much not ever get a bad movie review from me, as I think most movies are better than television these days hence movies are all we watch mostly - and most I think deserve a once over viewing. I enjoyed this historical movie, filmed in various locations in Germany where many of the actual events took place. Valkyrie stars Tom Cruise as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, a man who led an assassination plot on Adolph Hitler's life in 1944. Anyone who enjoys history...will enjoy this movie.

Melanie and Tim's wedding has been such a joy to process. The emotion we captured was so personal and it was so much fun to relive every time I looked at each image. Without further ado, here it is. Click the below image to start the slideshow. Enjoy!

We just watched the Bucket List yesterday. It fit my mood. Have you seen it yet? More on the movie later but let me tell you why it fit my mood.My parents aren't doing so well. And this last trip to Arizona made me think about life, death, happiness, and family. I would give anything for my parents to be in good health and to be at a different place in their lives. Decisions made are permanent, both good and bad, and they are suffering now for the bad ones. This next year will be a tough one I think for our family. And I'm sure you'll get more introspective posts from me as time passes.

Which brings me back to the Bucket List. In this movie, two men (Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson) are both diagnosed with cancer and have 6-12 months to live. They decide to spend their last days checking off things off their "bucket list" - all those things you want to do before you kick the bucket. I love the title of the film.

There were quotes aplenty in this movie that really make you stop and think, or at least they made me stop and think...

â??You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions. Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not. â??Have you found joy in your life?â?? and 'Has your life brought joy to others?â?? "

"I believe that you measure yourself by the people that measure themselves by you."

Life isn't always simple, but I think if we thought of these two quotes more often, it just might be a bit more simple - don't you think? The entire idea behind the bucket list is that you shouldn't ever have regret - whether it be doing or not doing something; and whether it be saying or not saying something that needs to be said.

With that - I'd like to suggest you start your own bucket list. Act as if you have 12 months left to live. Make the items on your list meaningful, practical, and earnest. Make hard decisions if you must, but make them. Don't wait and put life off since it could end tomorrow.

Cory and I just returned from a quick trip to Arizona to visit my parents over Christmas. We arrived on Christmas day in time for Christmas dinner. On Friday we headed off to Tuscon to do a bit of sightseeing...only to discover that it was freakishly cold - colder than home. What happened to sunny warm Arizona days? It was 34 degrees midday and raining. I didn't bring my wool coat...never thought I'd need it!

Our first stop was San Xavier del Bac Mission south of Tuscon. Beautiful. And the inside was ornate and incredibly detailed. Even the pews were amazing.We then headed out to the outdoor Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. It's a two mile path that walks you through many wildlife areas of plants and animals.The last day we were there we visited the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. But with no camera in hand. I decided to just enjoy the day. So you'll have to read about it online!